WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior
Monica Iizuka of the women’s swimming and diving team and sophomore
Benjamin Lee of the men’s swimming and diving team have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending December 3, 2023. The award is presented weekly by the Chateau Restaurant Group.
Iizuka, a native of
Chatham, New Jersey, led the Judges at the 2023 Gompei Invitational hosted by WPI last weekend. She had the team's top finish, winning the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 26.55 seconds. She also set a school record in the 100 back with a time of 57.70 seconds in the prelims, placing fourth in the finals with a time of 58.08 seconds. Iizuka also placed fifth in the 50 free with a time of 24.47 seconds, second-fastest in Brandeis history. On Day 3, she finished in 10th place in the 200 back with a time of 2:09.07.
Lee, of
Upton, Massachusetts, was the top men's performer for Brandeis at the Gompei Invitational. He had the men's overall top performance on the first day of action, placing second in the 200 IM. He swam 1:55.92 in the prelims and 1:54.13 in the finals, the second-fastest in school history. He was third on Day 2 in the 200 free with a time of 1:43.10, just 0.08 out of second place. On Day 3, Lee was fifth in the 100 IM with a time of 53.27 seconds, again the second-fastest in team history.
Brandeis finished the Gompei Invitational, a mixed-gendered event, with 2585.5 points, good for eighth place in the team standings.
The Judges are back in action on Wednesday, January 17
th when the women take on Stonehill College.
This is the eighth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights a top Brandeis student-athlete who has had an outstanding athletic achievement from the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake N Joes
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, The Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Iizuka is a 2020 graduate of Chatham High School. For more information on Brandeis women’s swimming and diving, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/wswim.
Lee is a 2022 graduate of Nipmuc Regional High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s swimming and diving, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mswim.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at
www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on Twitter/X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
